Iberia strike could have big impact

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A five-day strike by Iberia workers could have a detrimental impact on crew logistics services at Spanish ports, according to Inchcape Shipping Services.
The group anticipates that 40 percent of scheduled flights and 10 percent of international flights out of Spain will be grounded until Feb. 22.
International Airlines Group, the amalgamation of British Airways and Iberia Airways, previously said it will implement a contingency plan to minimize the impact of the Iberia strike on its customers.
Iberia workers are currently on strike until Feb. 22 and will also mount strikes from March 4 to 8 and from March 18 to 22. Workers are angry about IAG’s previously announced transformation plan for Iberia, which was released in November. The plan called for a capacity reduction of 15 percent, a fleet downsizing of 25 planes, and the reduction of 4,500 jobs.
Last week, IAG officials began the formal process of terminating 3,807 airline positions.
According to Iberia, as of the second day of the strike, the minimum services required by law are being carried out. Iberia cancelled 76 flights for the day; 20 codeshare flights and 80 Air Nostrum flights were also axed. Just more than 120 flights were scheduled for Tuesday; 135 flights took off Monday. Iberia officials have reported no noteworthy strike-related actions at the airport.
IAG officials and representatives from Iberia’s unions had been in negotiations before the strike was announced. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation, IAG never truly engaged the unions during these talks. - Jon Ross